At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform services for vulnerable children and young people with complex needs.
- Company: Innovative organisation dedicated to improving children's services.
- Benefits: Make a real impact, shape futures, and develop a talented workforce.
- Other info: Unique opportunity to influence strategic priorities and deliver lasting improvements.
- Why this job: Join us to create sustainable, child-centred alternatives to restrictive care.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in complex service management and transformation.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Contract: To be confirmed
Make a difference. Transform lives. Shape the future of children's services. We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Head of Service – Home Again to provide strategic and operational leadership for an innovative programme supporting children and young people with complex needs. Home Again aims to improve outcomes for children and young people who are at risk of placement instability, restrictive care arrangements, deprivation of liberty orders or escalation into high-cost specialist provision. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and delivery of a transformational service, creating sustainable, child-centred alternatives to restrictive care and ensuring children and young people receive the right support to achieve better outcomes.
About the role
You will lead the mobilisation, implementation and ongoing delivery of the Home Again Programme, translating its strategic vision into an effective and sustainable operating model. Working collaboratively with partners across children's services, health, education and youth justice, you will build strong relationships, influence service development and commissioning, and drive improvements across complex service environments. You will also establish effective governance arrangements, develop a high-performing multidisciplinary workforce and ensure the programme delivers measurable improvements for children, young people and families.
Key responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and overall direction for the Home Again Programme.
- Lead the mobilisation, implementation and ongoing delivery of the service model.
- Develop and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary workforce.
- Establish effective referral pathways, assessment processes and intervention models.
- Build strong partnerships across children's services, health, education, youth justice and commissioning.
- Drive innovation, service improvement and sustainable alternatives to restrictive care.
- Establish robust governance, quality assurance and performance management arrangements.
- Monitor programme outcomes, delivery milestones and benefits realisation.
- Manage budgets, resources and strategic risks effectively.
- Provide strategic assurance and reporting to senior leaders and governance boards.
About you
You will be an accomplished senior leader with significant experience of managing complex services, programmes or transformational change within children's services, health, social care or a related environment. You will have:
- A proven track record of strategic leadership and delivering complex programmes or service transformation.
- Strong knowledge of the needs and challenges facing children and young people with complex needs.
- Experience of developing innovative service models and improving service delivery.
- Excellent partnership working and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong financial, performance and resource management capabilities.
- Experience of governance, quality assurance and risk management.
- The ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive change across organisational boundaries.
- A strong commitment to safeguarding, children's rights and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
Leadership responsibilities
You will lead a multidisciplinary team, with indicative direct reports including Clinical Leads, Service Managers, Hub Leads, Practice and Quality Leads, Programme Managers and Performance and Business Support staff. You will create a positive and accountable culture that promotes collaboration, professional excellence and continuous improvement.
Why join?
This is a unique opportunity to lead an ambitious programme that will help transform how support is delivered to some of the most vulnerable children and young people. You will have the opportunity to shape an innovative service, influence strategic priorities, develop a talented workforce and deliver meaningful, lasting improvements to children's lives. If you are a visionary leader with the experience, passion and determination to deliver transformational change, we would welcome your application. Help us create better futures for children and young people.
Head of Service in Birkenhead employer: We Do Social Work
We Do Social Work is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a Social Work Assistant in the Children & Families team, you will benefit from ongoing training and professional growth opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in a vibrant area, our organisation values flexibility and encourages a healthy work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those passionate about social work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service in Birkenhead
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at We Do Social Work.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from We Do Social Work!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like We Do Social Work, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at We Do Social Work or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service in Birkenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to We Do Social Work:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Do Social Work! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at We Do Social Work
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
